Hundreds gathered at a Jacksonville funeral home on Saturday to say final goodbyes to beloved friend and fellow pirate, Earl Dupey.

Dupey, 30, was struck New Year’s Eve night on N.C. 24 in a fatal hit-and-run that has left many feeling confused and outraged.

“I don’t understand how anyone could just leave a person there like that after hitting them with their car,” said a friend, who wished to remain anonymous, during a viewing for Dupey Saturday at a funeral home in Jacksonville. “You would think as a human being, you would show some kind of basic level of decency to your fellow man, but to just drive off like that is unthinkable to me. The safest thing that driver can do now is turn themselves in.”

N.C. Highway Patrol’s investigation is ongoing. Authorities now are seeking a silver Monte Carlo or Lumina car missing a side mirror. Camera footage from a nearby gas station also might help shed light on the driver’s identity.

A cross was placed by friends Friday night at the spot where Dupey was hit and remains decorated with signatures from friends and condolences to the family.

Despite the tragic circumstances, many in attendance at Saturday’s viewing remained positive and chose to honor Dupey’s legacy by swapping old war stories and remembering the brighter parts of his life.

“I don’t know anyone else who did more to unite the 910 and 252 than Earl,” said Jennifer Miles, who frequents the Bogue Inlet Pier, where Dupey often spent his time. “If he saw you on the beach and didn’t know you, he would come over and introduce himself. He would always be the first to talk to different groups or offer someone a beer.”

Close friend Daniel Jones said Dupey was a one-in-a-million kind of person who valued the friendship of everyone he met and was well treasured by his crew.

“He was the type of guy who would come into my house and go up to the kids even before talking to me and play a game on Xbox with them,” Jones said. “He was a jester of sorts. There’s no forgetting him.”

After the viewing, many of Dupey’s friends travelled to the beach in Emerald Isle to continue celebrating his memory with libations.

“We are going to have a couple beers on the beach with the crew,” Jones said.

“Then it’s back to the house to continue the party.”

The Facebook group, “Rest In Peace, Earl Dupey,” was created soon after his passing and had grown to more than 730 members Saturday evening as people poured their support to the family and relayed memories of their shared friend.

Jones said Dupey’s altruism was evident in Saturday’s turnout.

“Looking at all of these people who came here today goes to show you just how much he was loved,” Jones said. “If someone was in trouble, he was the first one on the scene.”

Dupey’s friends recited a favorite term they say he often belted out with his arm outstretched above with a clinched fist: “Pull!”

Anyone with information regarding the hit and run is asked to call N.C. Highway Patrol at 910-862-3134; or Onslow County Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273.